Nnamdi Kanu’s family raises fresh health concerns

The family of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has voiced serious concerns regarding his health and the provision of independent medical treatment. They are urging relevant authorities to ensure Kanu consistently receives care from his chosen medical team.

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While Kanu was in custody, his health was systematically neglected and mismanaged. State-appointed doctors allowed his potassium level to fall to what independent physicians described as a life-threatening level capable of causing cardiac arrest.

In a statement released Wednesday, Emmanuel Kanu, speaking for the Okwu-Kanu family, expressed worry over Kanu's medical condition and the treatment faced by his independent physicians. "While Kanu was in custody, his health was systematically neglected and mismanaged. State-appointed doctors allowed his potassium level to fall to what independent physicians described as a life-threatening level capable of causing cardiac arrest," the statement read.

The family detailed that Kanu suffered from poorly managed hypertension, deteriorating kidney function, and untreated cardiac complications before an independent medical team, led by Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, was granted access. Following this intervention, Kanu's potassium levels improved, and symptoms like nosebleeds, fainting, and headaches significantly reduced. However, the family claims the doctors involved have since faced intimidation and persecution.

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Following the intervention of the independent medical team, Kanu’s potassium level improved from 2.1 mmol/L to 2.9 mmol/L, while episodes of nosebleeds, fainting, light-headedness, swollen feet and persistent headaches reduced significantly.

Concerns have also been raised about some members of the medical team facing scrutiny from regulatory authorities. The family implores these institutions to permit the doctors to perform their duties without interference. They are calling for unrestricted access for Kanu to his preferred physicians, the cessation of disciplinary proceedings against the doctors, and an independent review of his medical records.

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Rather than being commended, the doctors have since faced intimidation and persecution.

Copies of the family's petition have been sent to the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Israel, along with Nigerian institutions and international human rights organizations. In a separate petition to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kanu himself appealed for intervention regarding his healthcare and the welfare of his independent medical team. He urged the NMA to engage authorities, establish an oversight mechanism for detainee healthcare, and support his right to adequate medical treatment under Nigerian law and international standards.

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I urge the NMA to engage relevant authorities on the matter, establish an independent oversight mechanism for healthcare involving detainees, and support what he described as his right to adequate medical treatment under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.